Power beaming vcsel arrangement

ABSTRACT

A power beaming system includes a power beam transmission unit ( 102 ) to generate and transmit a high-flux power beam ( 106 ) toward a receiving unit ( 108 ) at a remote location. The receiving unit includes a photovoltaic array ( 128 ) having a defined perimeter shape, and the power beam transmission unit includes at least one vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array ( 150 ), which has a plurality of VCSEL emitters ( 152 ). The power beam transmission unit also includes a projection lens apparatus ( 126 ) and a control system. The control system which comprises a controller ( 136 C) is arranged to control a light output of the VCSEL array ( 150 ), which includes controllably enabling a selected portion of the plurality of VCSEL emitters corresponding to the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array, and controllably diffusing light with a diffuser ( 130 ) from the VCSEL array to uniformly illuminate a projection surface of the projection lens apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/163,307, filed on May 18, 2015, entitled “Provisional Patents for Wireless Power” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to power beaming technology. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) arrangement and use of said VCSEL in a power beaming system.

Description of the Related Art

A power beaming system, which may also be called an optical wireless power system, includes at least one transmitter and at least one receiver. In a conventional laser power beaming system, the transmitter forms a high-flux beam of laser light, which is projected through the air over a distance toward the receiver. The receiver, which may be in a remote area having an absence of easily available power, includes a light reception module (e.g., a photovoltaic module) to receive the high-flux beam of laser light. At the receiver, the laser light is converted to usable electric power, which is transported to one or more circuits where the power is consumed, stored, or otherwise utilized.

In a conventional laser power transmitter, a laser assembly converts electric power into optical power (i.e., light), typically but not necessarily in the near-infrared (NIR) portion of the optical spectrum wavelength between 0.7 and 2.0 μm. The laser assembly may comprise a single laser or multiple lasers, which may be mutually coherent or incoherent. The light output of the laser assembly passes through various optical elements (e.g., optical fibers, lenses, mirrors, etc.), which convert the raw laser light to a beam of a desired size, shape, for example, circular or rectangular, power distribution, and divergence. Various elements of the laser assembly also aim the light power beam toward the receiver.

All of the subject matter discussed in the Background section is not necessarily prior art and should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its discussion in the Background section. Along these lines, any recognition of problems in the prior art discussed in the Background section or associated with such subject matter should not be treated as prior art unless expressly stated to be prior art. Instead, the discussion of any subject matter in the Background section should be treated as part of the inventor's approach to the particular problem, which in and of itself may also be inventive.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed toward high-flux power beam system technology. In conventional power beam systems, a high-flux laser source generally provides high-flux light that is shaped and projected toward a receiver. In the present disclosure, rather than a conventional edge emitting, high-flux laser source, vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) technology provides the light that is projected toward a reception unit. In the embodiments discussed herein, the problem of non-uniform illumination of a receiver (e.g., a photovoltaic array) in a power beam system is solved by providing and desirably controlling a VCSEL means of generating high-flux light.

A first embodiment of the inventive concepts described herein is directed to a power beaming system. The power beaming system includes a power beam transmission unit arranged to generate and transmit a high-flux power beam toward a receiving unit at a remote location. The receiving unit includes a photovoltaic array having a defined perimeter shape. In this embodiment, the power beam transmission unit includes at least one vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array having a plurality of VCSEL emitters, a projection lens apparatus, and a control system to control a light output of the VCSEL array. Control of the light output of the VCSEL array includes controllably enabling a selected portion of the plurality of VCSEL emitters corresponding to the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array, and controllably diffusing light from the VCSEL array to uniformly illuminate a projection surface of the projection lens apparatus.

In some cases of the first embodiment, the power beaming system also includes at least one diffusion apparatus positioned between the VCSEL array and the projection lens apparatus. In some cases, the power beaming system includes a plurality of lenslets positioned between the VCSEL array and the projection lens apparatus. Here, each of the plurality of lenslets is arranged to decrease the divergence of a light beam generated by a corresponding VCSEL array element, wherein decreasing the divergence of light from a plurality of VCSEL array elements reduces an overlap of light generated by adjacent VCSEL array elements.

In these or other cases of the first embodiment, the power beaming system includes a processor, a memory, and a switch module arranged to enable and disable selected VCSEL emitters under control of the processor. The control system may be arranged to controllably enable selected VCSEL emitters into a plurality of output patterns, and in some cases, the plurality of output patterns includes a circle, a hexagon, and a rectangle. In still other cases of the first embodiment, the projection lens apparatus includes at least one of a non-axisymmetric optical element to change an aspect ratio of the high-flux power beam and a rotation optical element to rotate the high-flux power beam. Here, the control system may be arranged to change a position of at least one portion of the projection lens apparatus.

The power beaming system of the first embodiment, in some cases, includes at least one communication receiver associated with the power beam transmission unit, and at least one communication transmitter associated with the receiving unit. Here, the receiving unit may be arranged to automatically communicate information associated with the received high-flux power beam, and the transmission unit may be arranged to automatically change a position of at least one portion of the projection lens apparatus in response to the information communicated from the receiving unit. In some cases, the information communicated from the receiving unit is associated with a shape of the high-flux power beam, an intensity of the high-flux power beam, or an orientation of the high-flux power beam.

A second embodiment of the inventive concepts described herein includes a method to communicate a power beam. The method may include the acts of generating a high-flux light beam from at least one vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array having a plurality of VCSEL emitters, and as part of the generating, controllably enabling a selected portion of the plurality of VCSEL emitters corresponding to a defined perimeter shape of a photovoltaic array. The method may further include the acts of diffusing light from the VCSEL array to uniformly illuminate a projection surface of a projection lens apparatus and transmitting the shaped and focused high-flux power beam toward the photovoltaic array of a receiving unit at a remote location.

The method of the second embodiment to communicate a power beam may also include the active positioning of at least one diffusion apparatus between the VCSEL array and the projection lens apparatus. In some cases, the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array is one of a circle, a hexagon, and a rectangle.

In some cases of the second embodiment, controllably enabling the selected portion of the plurality of VCSEL emitters corresponding to the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array includes adjusting a position of a non-axisymmetric optical element or a rotation optical element relative to at least one portion of the projection lens apparatus. In these, or in other cases, the method also includes changing a position of at least one portion of the projection lens apparatus. In some cases, the method includes receiving information communicated from the receiving unit, the information associated with the received high-flux power beam, and automatically changing a position of at least one portion of the projection lens apparatus in response to the information communicated from the receiving unit.

A third embodiment of the inventive concepts described herein includes a power beaming transmission unit. The power beaming transmission unit includes at least one vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array having a plurality of VCSEL emitters, a projection lens apparatus, and a control system. The control system is arranged to selectively enable and disable a determined portion of the plurality of VCSEL emitters corresponding to a defined perimeter shape of a remote photovoltaic array. The control system is further arranged to control a uniform illumination of a projection surface of the projection lens apparatus.

In some cases of the third embodiment, the power beaming transmission unit also includes at least one diffusion apparatus positioned between the VCSEL array and the projection lens apparatus. In some cases, the power beaming transmission unit includes a plurality of lenslets positioned between the VCSEL array and the projection lens apparatus. In this case, each of the plurality of lenslets is arranged to adjust a level of divergence of a light beam generated by a corresponding VCSEL array element. In some cases, the control system is arranged to change a position of at least one portion of the projection lens apparatus. In these or other cases, at least one communication receiver is arranged to receive information from a remote receiving unit. The information is associated with a shape of a high-flux power beam generated and transmitted by the power beaming transmission unit, an intensity of the high-flux power beam generated and transmitted by the power beaming transmission unit, or an orientation of the high-flux power beam generated and transmitted by the power beaming transmission unit. In still some other cases, the high-flux power beam is modulated in order to communicate information to the remote receiving unit.

This Brief Summary has been provided to introduce certain concepts in a simplified form that are further described in detail below in the Detailed Description Except where otherwise expressly stated, the summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following drawings, wherein like labels refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements are selected, enlarged, and positioned to improve drawing legibility. The particular shapes of the elements as drawn have been selected for ease of recognition in the drawings. One or more embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array, and an optional plurality of additional VCSEL arrays, along with a cross-sectional view of a VCSEL array;

FIGS. 2A-2F are VCSEL arrays formed with particular shapes and patterns;

FIG. 3 is a power beaming system embodiment where a plurality of VCSEL arrays illuminate a receiving unit;

FIGS. 4A-4E are power beaming system embodiments focusing a power beam generated from a VCSEL array;

FIGS. 5A-5G are structures associated with power beaming system embodiments that focus a high-flux power beam generated from at least one VCSEL array;

FIGS. 6A-6C are VCSEL array embodiments illustrating various levels of diffusion;

FIGS. 7A-7E are a VCSEL controller embodiment and various VCSEL output patterns;

FIGS. 8A-8B are power beam control embodiments that change the aspect of a VCSEL power beam in one direction;

FIG. 9 is a power beaming system embodiment arranged to shape, aim, focus, and direct other aspects of a transmitted high-flux power beam.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application is related to the following applications filed on the same day as the present application, naming the same inventors, and assigned to the same entity; each of said applications incorporated herein by reference to the fullest extent allowed by law: U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled MULTI-LAYERED SAFETY SYSTEM, bearing client number 720173.405; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled LIGHT CURTAIN SAFETY SYSTEM, bearing client number 720173.406; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled DIFFUSION SAFETY SYSTEM, bearing client number 720173.407; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled LOCATING POWER RECEIVERS, bearing client number 720173.409; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled MULTISTAGE WIRELESS POWER, bearing client number 720173.410.

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures associated with computing systems including client and server computing systems, as well as networks, have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments.

Prior to setting forth the embodiments however, it may be helpful to an understanding thereof to first set forth definitions of certain terms that are used hereinafter.

The term “power beam” is used, in all its grammatical forms, throughout the present disclosure and claims to refer to a high-flux light transmission that may include a field of light, that may be generally directional, that may be arranged for steering/aiming to a suitable receiver. The power beams discussed in the present disclosure include beams formed by one or more high-flux VCSEL arrays or other like sources sufficient to deliver a desirable level of power to a remote receiver without passing the power over a conventional electrical conduit such as wire.

In the present disclosure, the term “light,” when used as part of a safety system such as a guard beam, refers to electromagnetic radiation including visible light, ultraviolet light, and mid- or short-wavelength infrared light. Shorter or longer wavelengths, including soft X-rays and thermal infrared, terahertz (THz) radiation, or millimeter waves, are also considered to be light within the present disclosure when such light can be reflected, blocked, attenuated, or otherwise used to detect obstacles of the sizes and compositions of interest.

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. It is further to be understood that unless specifically defined herein, the terminology used herein is to be given its traditional meaning as known in the relevant art.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array 150, and an optional plurality of additional VCSEL arrays 150 a-150 c, along with a cross-sectional view of VCSEL array 150. Each of the VCSEL arrays 150, 150 a-150 c includes a plurality of VCSEL emitters 152, 152 a-152 n. In FIG. 1, four VCSEL emitters are expressly identified (i.e., VCSEL emitter 152, VCSEL emitters 152 a-152 n), however, a VCSEL array 150 of the present disclosure may include significantly more (e.g., dozens, hundreds, or thousands) VCSEL emitters. To this end, FIG. 1 is not drawn to scale, and the number of VCSEL emitters, the actual and relative size of each VCSEL emitter, the positioning of each VCSEL emitter, the orientation of each VCSEL emitter, and other such parameters of VCSEL emitters are illustrated in FIG. 1 to simplify the discussion of the present inventive concepts. Such presentation of VCSEL emitters in FIG. 1 should not be construed to limit the claims.

In some cases, every VCSEL emitter has a generally same size and composition. In other cases, different VCSEL emitters have different sizes and compositions. Along these lines, a plurality of VCSEL arrays may all be identical, or in some cases, different VCSEL arrays may have different sizes, number of VCSEL emitters, arrangement of VCSEL emitters, or other characteristics.

In the embodiments discussed herein, a VCSEL array 150 includes a control port 154. The control port 154 may be arranged to unidirectionally or bidirectionally pass information, such as control information or data. Control information may include one or more signals to direct the VCSEL array 150 to enable or disable a single VCSEL emitter 152, a plurality of VCSEL emitters 152 a-152 n in any desirable grouping or arrangement, or the control information may direct the VCSEL array 150 to enable or disable every VCSEL emitter 152 in the array. In some cases, the control information is passed as one or more discrete voltage signals, and in some cases, the control information is passed as one or more programmatic commands passed from a processor executing a software program. In still other cases, the control information is included with the operations of a finite state machine.

As illustrated in the cross-sectional view of the VCSEL array 150 of FIG. 1, a VCSEL emitter 152, when enabled, generates and outputs a conical light beam 156. In FIG. 1, a single conical light beam 156 is identified for simplicity; however, each VCSEL emitter may be enabled so as to generate and output a conical light beam, as illustrated. From the aggregate conical light beams 156 of each enabled VCSEL emitter 152, the VCSEL array 150 generates and outputs a composite light beam 158. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the composite light beam 158 of VCSEL array 150 is incoherent, which is typical in known high-power VCSEL arrays (i.e., the individual VCSEL emitters are not locked in phase to neighboring VCSEL emitters). Techniques for creating coherent VCSEL arrays have been proposed, and such arrays would be expected to produce a combined conical beam having significantly smaller divergence than a beam from an individual VCSEL emitter.

The wavelength of the emitted light beam 156 is generally determined by the materials that comprise the VCSEL structure. The amplitude of the emitted light beam 156 may in some cases be determined by at least one parameter, such as current, passed to or otherwise arranged to control, the VCSEL array 150. In other cases, however, the amplitude of the emitted light beam 156 may be determined under control of an external device, such as a processor, with a discrete signal, programmatic signal, or some other signal passed through the control port 154.

In some cases, VCSEL array 150 provides substantial total power at visible or infrared wavelengths from a two-dimensional array of individual, comparatively low-power, sources. In the present disclosure, an array such as VCSEL array 150 is a high power VCSEL array comprising dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of individual VCSEL emitters 152 in a roughly one-square-centimeter-sized array. VCSEL array 150 may produce tens to hundreds of watts of optical power continuously, or higher peak power in short pulses. Each VCSEL emitter 152 produces a separate beam (e.g., a conical-shaped light beam), which may have a roughly circular cross-section and a Gaussian power distribution in angle. In aggregate, the VCSEL array 150 of FIG. 1 also produces a light beam 158 having a roughly circular cross-section and a Gaussian power distribution in angle. In other cases, a VCSEL array 150 may provide a different beam shape, a different beam power distribution, or some other different characteristic. The far-field divergence of the beam from a VCSEL array 150 is approximately the same as the divergence of the beam from an individual VCSEL emitter 152.

FIGS. 2A-2F are VCSEL arrays 150, 150 d-150 h formed with particular shapes and patterns. In FIG. 2A, a single VCSEL array 150, which is also illustrated in FIG. 1, includes a plurality of VCSEL emitters 152 formed in a circle pattern. The VCSEL array 150 d in FIG. 2B is formed in a hexagon pattern, and the VCSEL array 150 e in FIG. 2C is formed as a square. Other shapes are also contemplated. In FIGS. 2D-2F, a plurality of VCSEL arrays 150 are formed into larger arrays. The first large array 150 f of FIG. 2D includes 12 VCSEL array 150 structures; the second large array 150 g of FIG. 2E includes 10 VCSEL array 150 structures; and the third large array 150 h of FIG. 2F includes 17 VCSEL array 150 structures. Other shapes, compositions, and formats of VCSEL arrays are also contemplated. When a particular VCSEL array structure is formed along the lines of those shown in FIGS. 2A-2F, a generated high-flux power beam may be arranged to correspond to a defined perimeter shape of a photovoltaic array that receives the beam.

In some embodiments, a laser power beaming transmission unit includes one or more VCSEL arrays as a laser source. The one or more VCSEL arrays may be formed in a generally defined shape (e.g., a square, a rectangle, a circle, a hexagon, or some other shape). The VCSEL array structure may also be positioned in the object plane of a projecting lens. The projecting lens is sized to accept the entire beam from the one or more VCSEL arrays and configured to focus an image of the VCSEL arrays on a remotely located reception unit, which is formed including an array of photovoltaic cells having a defined perimeter shape. In some cases, the one or more VCSEL arrays will be arranged to mimic the same overall shape as the array of photovoltaic cells in the reception unit. Because the VCSEL array comprises a large number of small emitters of equal power, the receiver may be approximately uniformly illuminated, receiving the same power per unit area when averaged over areas that are large compared to the image of a single VCSEL emitter.

FIG. 3 is a power beaming system 100 embodiment where a plurality of VCSEL arrays of a transmission unit 102 generate and transmit a high-flux power beam 106 thereby illuminating a receiving unit 108 at a remote location. The receiving unit 108 includes a photovoltaic array 128, which has a defined perimeter shape. The transmission unit 102 includes a plurality of vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays 150, and each VCSEL array 150 has a plurality of VCSEL emitters 152. The transmission unit 102 also includes a projection lens apparatus 126. The projection lens apparatus 126 in some embodiments includes only a single projection lens. In other embodiments, the projection lens apparatus 126 includes a projection lens along with one or more other structures such as shaping lenses, focusing lenses, prisms, diffusers, or other optical structures. The projection lens apparatus 126 may also include mounting devices to move or otherwise position other structures of the apparatus, such as filters, baffles, shades, and the like.

In some optional cases, the transmission unit 102 includes a control system (e.g., FIG. 7A) to control a light output of the VCSEL array 150. In these cases, control of the light output of the VCSEL array 150 may include controllably enabling a selected portion of the plurality of VCSEL elements 152, for example, to enable VCSEL elements 152 that result in illumination of the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array 128. Control of the light output of the VCSEL array 150 may also include controllably diffusing light from the VCSEL array 150 to uniformly illuminate a projection surface of the projection lens apparatus. Such diffusing, as well as other actions to shape, aim, and diffuse the composite light beam 158, may be implemented with a control system that directs motion of one lens structure with respect to another, such as positioning of particular baffles, positioning of mirrors, positioning of a diffusion apparatus, or positioning some other structure about the composite light beam 158 path.

The VCSEL emitters 152 generate a high-flux composite light beam 158, which is imposed on a projection lens apparatus 126. In some cases, the composite light beam 158 includes uniformly distributed light flux that may be imposed directly on a projection lens, and in other cases, the composite light beam 158 is applied to a different structure of the projection lens apparatus 126 to improve the distribution of light flux (e.g., shaping, diffusing, and the like). In still other cases, the control system (FIG. 7A) directs the performance of other actions.

When the composite light beam 158 passes through the projection lens apparatus 126, a high-flux power beam 106 is transmitted toward the reception unit 108. Because the high-flux power beam 106 substantially conforms to the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array 128, the photovoltaic array 128 is uniformly illuminated. An intensity plot is also illustrated in FIG. 3. The intensity plot illustrates a substantially uniform distribution of light flux spread across most or all of the positions within the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array 128.

FIGS. 4A-4E are power beaming system embodiments focusing a power beam generated from a VCSEL array 150. In each of the embodiments, a transmission unit 102 includes the VCSEL array 150, which produces the composite light beam 158, along with a projection lens apparatus 126. Other components of the transmission unit 102 are not shown to simplify the drawings. A high-flux power beam 106 is transmitted from the transmission unit 102 toward a reception unit 108. More particularly, the high-flux power beam 106 is arranged to uniformly illuminate a defined perimeter shape of a photovoltaic array 128.

In some embodiments, the projection lens apparatus 126 may be configured to focus a high-flux power beam 106 slightly-in-front-of, or slightly behind, an exposed plane of a photovoltaic cell 128. By “mis-focusing” in this way, the images (i.e., the high-flux power beam 106) generated by one or more individual VCSEL arrays 150 are slightly blurred at the point of contact on the photovoltaic array 128. The blurring causes the high-flux power beam 106 to provide a more uniform illumination of the photovoltaic cells at the scale of the spacing of the individual VCSEL emitter 152 images that comprise the composite light beam 158.

FIG. 4A illustrates a focal point of a high-flux power beam 106 directly on a photovoltaic cell 128. In this embodiment, the high-flux power beam 106 has been shaped and aimed so as to strike the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array 128 at the focal point of the high-flux power beam 106. In FIG. 4B, a focal point of the high-flux power beam 106 is behind the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic cell 128, and in FIG. 4C, the focal point of the high-flux power beam 106 is in front of a photovoltaic cell 128. Accordingly it is recognized that by configuring the projection lens apparatus 126 and the VCSEL array 150 in a desirable way (e.g., manually, automatically, programmatically, electronically, mechanically, electromechanical, or in some other way), with or without feedback from the reception unit 108, the power beaming system may be improved to uniformly transfer as much flux from the high-flux power beam 106 to the reception unit 108.

In other embodiments, a diffusion structure of one type or another may be positioned inside the high-flux path between the one or more VCSEL arrays 150 of the transmission unit 102 and the photovoltaic array 128 of the reception unit 108. For example, FIG. 4D illustrates a focal point of a high-flux power beam 106 directly on a large angle diffusing structure 130, which is in front of the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic cell 128. The large angle diffusing structure 130 may provide a comparatively large angle diffusion of, for example, five degrees, ten degrees, or more, to more uniformly even out the illumination of the photovoltaic cells.

In contrast, or in addition, FIG. 4E illustrates a more sophisticated projection lens apparatus 126. In the embodiment of FIG. 4E, the high-flux power beam 106 is formed after passing the composite light beam 158 through a projection lens apparatus 126 that includes at least one small angle diffusing structure 132. In this case, the small diffusion angle may be, for example, one degree or less. Different from a conventional laser light source, the VCSEL array 150 produces many individual points of light (e.g., hundreds or even thousands). Through use of a diffusing structure, such as the large angle diffusing structure 130 and the small angle diffusing structure 132, the high-flux power beam 106 may be formed as a homogenous beam that strikes the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array 128.

In some embodiments of the power beaming systems described in the present disclosure, the projection lens apparatus 126 may be a zoom lens, a varifocal lens, or another type of lens arranged to allow the size, shape, or other characteristics of the projected high-flux power beam 106 image to be adjusted in one way or another. For example, in some embodiments, a particular lens may be selected, positioned, or otherwise implemented to allow the size of the high-flux power beam image to be adjusted independent of the projection focal distance. This type of lens allows the image sourced by the VCSEL array 150 to be adjusted to match the size of the defined perimeter of the photovoltaic array 128. Other lens arrangements, and adjustments to additional characteristics of the high-flux power beam are also contemplated. One benefit of such flexibility in one or both of the transmission unit 102 and the reception unit 108 is that a same transmission unit 102 may be used with one or more reception units 108 at varying distances, of varying sizes, or of some other configuration. In the same way, a same reception unit 108 may be used with one or more transmission units 102 at varying distances, of varying sizes, or of some other configuration.

In some embodiments, the projection lens apparatus 126 includes only a single projection lens. In other embodiments, the projection lens apparatus 126 includes a simple or complex train of optical structures. The train of projection lens apparatus 126 structures may include, for example, any one or more of relay lenses, flat mirrors, curved, mirrors, field lenses, and other optical elements. The projection lens apparatus 126 may also include means of moving, positioning, or otherwise adjusting one structure relative to other structures in the projection lens apparatus 126. When so configured, the projection lens apparatus 126 is arranged to project an appropriately focused high-flux power beam 106 image that is sourced by one or more VCSEL arrays 150 onto the photovoltaic array 128 of the reception unit 108. In some embodiments, the projection lens apparatus 126 may be configured to distribute light from one or more VCSEL arrays 150 over the exit aperture of the transmission unit 102 in a desired fashion, such as approximately uniformly, in a Gaussian distribution, or in some other profile.

FIGS. 5A-5G are structures associated with power beaming system embodiments that focus a high-flux power beam 106 generated from at least one VCSEL array 150. In FIG. 5A, one or more VCSEL arrays 150 of a transmission unit 102 produce a composite light beam 158, which is accepted by a projection lens apparatus 126. The projection lens apparatus 126 projects a high-flux beam 106 toward a reception unit 108. The projection lens apparatus 126 is arranged to controllably generate and aim a high-flux power beam 106 at a defined perimeter shape of a photovoltaic array 128 of the remote reception unit 108, which is positioned at a particular distance from the transmission unit 102.

In FIGS. 5B-5D, a high-flux power beam 106 is generated by a transmission unit 102 and projected from a projection lens apparatus 126 toward a reception unit 108, which has a particular photovoltaic array 128 having a defined perimeter shape. In FIG. 5B, the high-flux power beam 106 is projected over a particular distance “A.” In FIG. 5C, the high-flux power beam 106 is projected over a longer distance “A+B,” and in FIG. 5D, the high-flux power beam 106 is projected over a shorter distance “A-C.” In the cases of FIGS. 5B-5D, the projection lens apparatus 126 is arranged to form, shape, focus, and perform other acts to desirably project a high-flux power beam 106 toward the reception unit 108.

FIGS. 5E and 5F illustrate reception units 108 having a photovoltaic array 128 having a particular defined perimeter shape. In FIG. 5E, the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array 128 is substantially circular. In FIG. 5F, the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array 128 is substantially rectangular. Other shapes, including squares, hexagons, and others, are contemplated. The particular defined perimeter shape of a photovoltaic array 128 may or may not be symmetrical, geometrically regular, or contiguous. For example, the photovoltaic array 128 may be formed in the shape of a “plus sign,” an ellipse or circle with irregular edges, a donut, a horseshoe, and nearly any other shape.

In FIG. 5G, a projection lens apparatus 126 includes an optional first optical structure 126A, an optional second optical structure 126B, and optional controller 136A, an optional input/output (I/O) interface 138, and an optional positioning/placement system 140. In some cases, the projection lens apparatus 126 includes only a single projection lens, for example the optional first optical structure 126A or the optional second optical structure 126B. In other cases, the projection lens apparatus 126 may include any number of additional optical structures. The optional optical structures in FIG. 5G, of which only two are illustrated for brevity, may include any one or more of projection lenses, shaping lenses, focusing lenses, lenslet arrays, prisms, diffusers, filters, mirrors, baffles, shades, shaped apertures, other optical structures.

The optional position/placement system 140 may be arranged as a frame, bezel, or other mounting structure to contain, move, and otherwise position the one or more optional optical structures 126A, 126B. In some cases, the optional optical structures 126A, 126B may be inserted or removed from the path of light through the projection lens apparatus 126. In addition, or in the alternative, the optional position/placement system 140 may be arranged to move one optional optical structure with respect to another or with respect to some other reference. The optional optical structures may be positioned for permanent placement, semi-permanent placement, or temporary placement. The optional optical structures may be positioned, and repositioned, dynamically, for example under direction of the controller 136A. In some cases, the optional position/placement system 140 is an electronic device, in other cases it is an electromechanical device, and in still other cases, the optional position/placement system 140 is a manually controlled mechanical device.

The controller 136A may be a mechanical controller or an electronic controller such as a finite state machine, microcontroller, or processor. The controller 136A, when it is included in a projection lens apparatus 126, may be used to direct operations of the projection lens apparatus 126. For example, the controller 136A may receive input from an external source (e.g., a human being, a computing device, or some other source) via the optional I/O interface 138. Based on the input, or based on some other source of control information, the controller 136A may automatically or otherwise position any number of optional optical structures 126A, 126B in the path of light through the projection lens apparatus 126.

FIGS. 6A-6C are VCSEL array 150 embodiments illustrating various levels of diffusion. In some embodiments, the optional first optical structure 126A or the optional second optical structure 126B of the projection lens apparatus 126 may be formed as a lenslet array 142A, 142B, which is positioned in front of each VCSEL array 150. The lenslet array 142A is a converging lenslet array that acts to reduce the beam divergence of light generated by each individual VCSEL emitter 152. Conversely, the diverging lenslet array 142B acts to increase the beam divergence of light generated by each individual VCSEL emitter 152.

FIG. 6A is a VCSEL array 150 embodiment wherein a VCSEL array 150 generates a composite light beam 158 that strikes a projection lens apparatus 126. The embodiment of FIG. 6A does not include any lenslet array structures. Accordingly, the light of the composite light beam 158, which passes through the projection lens apparatus 126, has a particular divergence, which is illustrated in FIG. 6A as angle θ_(A).

In FIG. 6B, a converging lenslet array 142A is arranged to decrease divergence of the composite light beam 158 that passes through the projection lens apparatus 126. The light in the embodiment of FIG. 6B has a particular reduced divergence which is illustrated as angle θ_(B). With reference back to FIG. 6A, the light beam in the embodiment of FIG. 6B follows the divergence angular relationship (θ_(B)<θ_(A)).

In the embodiment of FIG. 6B, the converging lenslet array 142A may be located and particularly arranged near an image of the VCSEL array 150 within the projection optical path. Reducing the divergence of the individual VCSEL emitter 152 beams will increase the radiance (i.e., power per (unit area*solid angle)) of the VCSEL array 150. Accordingly, this reduced divergence allows the light from the VCSEL array 150 to be focused on a smaller photovoltaic array 128, or at a greater distance, when presuming a fixed projection aperture.

In FIG. 6C, a diverging lenslet array 142B is arranged to increase divergence of the composite light beam 158 that passes through the projection lens apparatus 126. The light in the embodiment of FIG. 6C has a particular increased divergence which is illustrated as angle θ_(C). With reference back to FIG. 6A, the light beam in the embodiment of FIG. 6C follows the divergence angular relationship (θ_(C)>θ_(A)).

In the embodiment of FIG. 6C, the diverging lenslet array 142B or a diffusion device is placed in front of each VCSEL array 150 to increase the divergence of the individual VCSEL emitter 152 beams and reduce the radiance of the VCSEL array 150. Reducing the VCSEL radiance allows the overall VCSEL-based composite light beam 158 to fill the projection aperture when focusing the image on a larger photovoltaic array 128 or at closer range than the lowest size or highest distance allowed by the bare VCSEL array 150 and projection aperture. Filling the determined projection aperture in this way increases the apparent angular size of the high-flux power beam 106, which reduces the eye hazard associated with the high-flux power beam 106, and increases safety as per certain U.S. and International laser safety standards.

When a lenslet array 142A, 142B is positioned in front of a VCSEL array 150 as in FIGS. 6B and 6C, then each individual lenslet of the array focuses the light from its corresponding VCSEL emitter 152 source onto a focusing lens, a projection lens, or some other portion of the projection lens apparatus 126.

For example, the focusing by the lenslet array 142A permits hundreds or thousands of individual light beams (e.g., one beam from each VCSEL emitter 152) to hit the optional lens structure (e.g., a focusing lens), thereby substantially filling the entire lens structure area with very little if any overlap.

As another example, the diverging by the lenslet array 142B of hundreds or thousands of individual light beams from the plurality of VCSEL emitters 152 permits a field of light to hit the optional lens structure (e.g., a focusing lens), thereby substantially filling the entire lens structure area with a desirable level of overlap.

The efficient use of the determined full area of the lens structure results in a desirable amount of light divergence, a desirable amount of light overlap, and more efficient use of the light produced by the VCSEL array 150. In some cases, the amount of efficiency gained by use of one lenslet array or another (i.e., lenslet array 142A or lenslet array 142B) may be limited mostly, or only, by the amount of spacing between VCSEL arrays 150 or by the amount of spacing between VCSEL emitters 152 in a VCSEL array 150.

FIGS. 7A-7E are a VCSEL controller embodiment and various VCSEL output patterns.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7A, a transmission control unit 102 includes a VCSEL array 150 light source, which is comprised of a plurality of VCSEL emitters 152. A projection lens apparatus 126 is arranged to accept a composite light beam 158 (FIG. 3) from the VCSEL array 150 and project a high-flux power beam 106 (FIG. 3) toward a reception unit 108 (FIG. 3). The transmission unit 102 includes a transmission control module 136B, which is generally responsible for the operations of the entire transmission unit 102. For brevity, the discussion of operations that are directed, performed, or otherwise associated with the transmission control module 136B are limited in the present disclosure to particular operations associated with the VCSEL array 150.

The transmission control module 136B includes a switch module 160 and a controller 136C. The controller 136C includes a processor 162, a memory 164, and other modules not shown for simplicity. The controller 136C directs the operations of the switch module 160 to selectively enable and disable VCSEL emitters 152 of the VCSEL array 150. The switch module 160 may include any type of one or more controllable electronic switches, such as a MOSFETs, SCRs, bipolar transistors, and the like. In some cases, some portions of the switch module 160 or an entire switch module 160 is integrated into a VCSEL array 150. In other cases, a switch module is partially or entirely separate and distinct from a VCSEL array 150.

In some cases, the controller 136C is arranged to control one or more individually addressable VCSEL emitters 152. In these and other cases, the controller 136C may be arranged to control addressable groups of groups VCSEL emitters 152. In still other cases, the controller 136C may have binary (i.e., on/off) control of every VCSEL emitter 152 of the VCSEL array 150 as if the array was a single light source instead of a plurality of light sources. The controller 136C in some cases directly controls the VCSEL array 150, and in other cases, control of the VCSEL array 150 or the associated VCSEL emitters 152 is executed via the switch module 160.

The controller 136C in some cases is also able to control the projection lens apparatus 126 as described elsewhere in the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, as described herein, a VCSEL array 150 is controllably illuminated in a particular shape or pattern. That is, a controller 136C is able to individually control a plurality of distinct VCSEL emitters 152 or one or more groups of VCSEL emitters 152. In other cases, a VCSEL array 150 is arranged with a plurality of VCSEL emitters 152 positioned in a particular shape or pattern, and in this case, enabling or disabling the VCSEL array 150 will either illuminate or extinguish all of the VCSEL emitters 152 of the shape or pattern. Along these lines, FIGS. 7B-7E illustrate four particular illumination patterns of a VCSEL array 150.

The VCSEL emitters 152 of FIGS. 7B-7E may be individually controllable, controllable in groups, or controllable as a single unit. In FIG. 7B, the VCSEL array 150 is arranged to illuminate a square shape, and in FIG. 7C, the VCSEL array 150 is arranged to illuminate a circle. In FIG. 7D, the VCSEL array 150 is arranged to illuminate in the shape of a hexagon, and in FIG. 7E, the VCSEL array 150 is arranged to illuminate in the shape of a trapezoid. Other shapes, patterns, orientations and the like are contemplated, and accordingly, the embodiments described herein are not limited merely to those illustrated in the figures.

Separately, or in addition to the embodiments described herein, some power beaming system embodiments comprise a plurality of VCSEL arrays 150 formed or otherwise arranged together into an assembly of VCSEL arrays 150. In some of these embodiments, the size and shape of the emitting area of a VCSEL array 150 assembly may be varied by switching off portions of the array assembly. Such switching may be done by entire VCSEL arrays 150, or by portions of arrays (e.g., individual rows or columns of VCSEL emitters 152, or subarrays of various sizes and shapes of VCSEL emitters 152), or by individual VCSEL emitters 152.

By varying the size and shape of a VCSEL array or VCSEL assembly emitting area, a transmitted high-flux power beam 106 may be matched to photovoltaic arrays 128 of differing size and shape. In particular, if the photovoltaic array 128 of any particular reception unit 108 is of nominal shape and not substantially aligned to the transmission unit 102 (e.g., the photovoltaic array 128 is rotated about one or more axes relative to a desired orientation), the reception unit 108 will appear distorted as seen from the transmission unit 102. For example, if the defined perimeter shape of a photovoltaic array 128 is a circle, the reception unit 102 may appear to the transmission unit 102 as an ellipse having its major axis at any rotation angle around the beam axis. Along these lines, a square perimeter shape may appear to be a rectangle, and may similarly appear to be rotated around the beam axis. In some cases, the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array 128 of a given reception unit 102 may even appear to be significantly asymmetric. For example, a square shape may appear significantly trapezoidal. In the case of image projectors, such as slide or video projectors, this is referred to as “keystoning”. By adjusting the output of one or more VCSEL arrays 150, the transmitted high-flux power beam 106 may be matched to the distorted shape and thereby efficiently illuminate the photovoltaic array 128.

FIGS. 8A-8B are power beam control embodiments that change the aspect of a VCSEL-based high-flux power beam 106 in one direction. The embodiments of FIGS. 8A-8B may be combined with each other or yet different embodiments to change the aspect of a high-flux power beam 106 into or more directions, or in other ways.

In some embodiments, in addition to or instead of varying the VCSEL assembly emitting area, the transmission unit 102 may compensate for distortions in the apparent shape of the photovoltaic array 128 by adjusting one or more asymmetric or other optical structures in the projection lens apparatus 126. In these cases, the optical structures (e.g., optional first optical structure 126A, optional second optical structure 126B of FIG. 5G) may include, without limitation, non-axisymmetric optical elements, rotation optics, and other optical structures. Non-axisymmetric optical elements may include optical structures such as cylindrical lenses 166A, 166B, cylindrical mirrors, cylindrical-symmetry diffraction gratings, and other such devices, which modify or otherwise affect light passing there-through, for example, to change the beam aspect ratio. Rotation optics may include structures such as a Dove prism 168 or other prism, mirror, diffractive devices, and like arrangements, which may be used to compensate for rotation of the receiver around the beam axis. Other optical structures are also contemplated.

These optical structures may be coupled to one or more actuators in the projection lens apparatus 126, which can insert or remove various optional optical elements or change the positions, orientations, or other characteristics of the optional optical elements.

In FIG. 8A, a portion of the projection lens apparatus 126 includes an optional first optical element embodied as a first cylindrical lens 166A and an optional second optical element embodied as a second cylindrical lens 166B. Representative motion of one of the cylindrical lenses relative to the other cylindrical lens between position “A” and position “B” is illustrated in FIG. 8A along with a representation of how the shape of the high-flux power beam 106 is correspondingly adjusted.

In FIG. 8B, a portion of the projection lens apparatus 126 includes an optional first optical element embodied as a dove prism 168. Representative rotation of the dove prism 168 is shown about a center line of rotation between a first angle “A” and a second angle “B.” Corresponding to the rotation of the dove prism 168, the illustration of FIG. 8B also shows representative rotation of the high-flux power beam 106 between two angles, which in FIG. 8B correspond to the dove prism's angle “A” and angle “B.” In some embodiments of the power beaming systems described herein, a transmission unit 102 is in communication with a reception unit 108.

In some cases, the communication is uni-directional; and other cases, the communication is bidirectional. Based on information that is passed between a reception unit 108 and a transmission unit 102, the transmission unit 102 may determine which VCSEL emitters 152 to turn on, which VCSEL emitters 152 to turn off, and which directions to provide to a projection lens apparatus 126 so as to desirably form a high-flux power beam 106.

FIG. 9 is a power beaming system embodiment 100A arranged to shape, aim, focus, and direct other aspects of a transmitted high-flux power beam 106 (FIG. 3). The system embodiment of FIG. 9 includes a transmission unit 102 and a reception unit 108. The transmission unit 102 and reception unit 108 of FIG. 9 include particular structural elements described herein, and in addition, several optional elements that are present in some embodiments.

The transmission unit 102 of FIG. 9 includes one or more VCSEL arrays 150, and a switch module 160. Switch module 160 is arranged to control individual VCSEL elements 152 of the one or more VCSEL arrays 150. The transmission unit 102 of FIG. 9 also includes an optional processor 162 and cooperative memory 164, an optional wireless sensor device 170, which in FIG. 9 is illustrated as a camera or some other type of image sensor, and an optional data receiver 172.

The reception unit 108 of FIG. 9 includes a photovoltaic array 128, and several optional devices including a processor 162A and cooperative memory 164A, a data transmitter 174, and one or more fiducial elements 178A-178D. The reception unit 108 of FIG. 9 includes a power management and distribution device/system (PMAD) 176 that is arranged to collect, store, distribute, or otherwise manage electrical power converted from the photovoltaic array 128.

Using the optional processor 162 and cooperative memory 164, or using discrete circuits to implement a finite state machine or other control logic, the transmission unit 102 may be arranged to control particular adjustable parameters such as a lens zoom, a lens selection, positioning of symmetrical or asymmetric optical elements, or take other actions. Using one or more optional sensors (e.g., wireless sensor device 170), the transmission unit 102 may be arranged to determine the apparent size, shape, distance, and other parameters associated with the active area of the photovoltaic array 128. For example, in some cases, the wireless sensor device 170 is embodied as a camera or some other such imaging device, which is arranged to capture image data associated with the photovoltaic array 128. In this case, particular image processing carried out by the processor 162 and cooperative memory 164 produces data by which the high-flux power beam 106 may be configured (e.g., size, shape, focal point, rotation, and the like).

Alternatively, or in addition, the transmission unit 102 may embody a wireless sensor device 170, such as a camera or another imaging device that images one or more fiducial elements 178A-178D physically positioned in association with the reception unit 108. The imaging device or the processor 162 in memory 164 may determine the orientation, location, distance, or other information about the reception unit 102, and alternatively or in addition, the photovoltaic array 128. As yet another alternative, the reception unit 108 may include means of sensing or otherwise determining its own location information. The reception unit 108 may be arranged to determine its own orientation relative to the environment, for example, via use of a tilt sensor or some other sensor, relative to the transmission unit 102, relative to the high-flux power beam 106, or relative to some other reference point. The reception unit may then send this information to the transmission unit 102 via optional radios (e.g., data transmitter 174 and data receiver 172). In other cases, the reception unit 108 may also sense information about the high-flux power beam 106, and inform the transmission unit 102 as to whether or not the transmitted high-flux power beam 106 is too large, too small, or otherwise mis-matched to the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array 128.

In some cases of the power beam system embodiment 100A of FIG. 9, the transmission unit 102 communicates information to the reception unit 108. For example, the data receiver 172 may be configured as a transceiver that includes the ability to transmit data. Correspondingly the data transmitter 174 of the reception unit 108 may be configured as a transceiver that includes the ability to receive data. The communicated data may include timing information, efficiency information, scheduling information, information about the high-flux power beam 106, or any other type of information. In some cases, the data communication features are performed using the high-flux power beam 106 and the photovoltaic array 128 in cooperation with the processors and memory associated with each respective unit. The transmission unit 102, for example, may modulate the high-flux power beam 106 in time, amplitude, frequency, or in some other way to communicate data. Correspondingly, the reception unit 108 may analyze information perceived at the photovoltaic array 128, such as changes in intensity of the high-flux power beam 106 or other modulation information, and from this the reception unit 108 may capture useful information in the high-flux power beam 106 itself.

Certain words and phrases used in the present disclosure are set forth as follows. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof in all grammatical forms, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like.

The term “controller” means any device, system, or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware, or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. The functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Other definitions of certain words and phrases may be provided within this patent document. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

In some cases, the figures in the present disclosure illustrate portions of one or more non-limiting computing device embodiments such as the transmission unit 102 and the reception unit 108. The computing devices may include operative hardware found in conventional computing device apparatuses such as one or more processors, volatile and non-volatile memory, serial and parallel input/output (I/O) circuitry compliant with various standards and protocols, wired and/or wireless networking circuitry (e.g., a communications transceiver), one or more user interface (UI) modules, logic, and other electronic circuitry. In addition, or in the alternative, the computing device embodiments may be electronic circuits formed to carry out operations of a finite state machine.

Processors, such as those that may be employed in the transmission unit 102 and the reception unit 108 may include central processing units (CPU's), microcontrollers (MCU), digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), and the like. The processors interchangeably refer to any type of electronic control circuitry configured to execute programmed software instructions. The programmed instructions may be high-level software instructions, compiled software instructions, assembly-language software instructions, object code, binary code, micro-code, or the like. The programmed instructions may reside in internal or external memory or may be hard-coded as a state machine or set of control signals. According to methods and devices referenced herein, embodiments describe software executable by the processor and operable to execute certain ones of the method acts.

As known by one skilled in the art, a computing device has one or more memories such as memory 164 and memory 164A, and each memory comprises any combination of volatile and non-volatile computer-readable media for reading and writing. Volatile computer-readable media includes, for example, random access memory (RAM). Non-volatile computer-readable media includes, for example, read only memory (ROM), magnetic media such as a hard-disk, an optical disk drive, a floppy diskette, a flash memory device, a CD-ROM, and/or the like. In some cases, a particular memory is separated virtually or physically into separate areas, such as a first memory, a second memory, a third memory, etc. In these cases, it is understood that the different divisions of memory may be in different devices or embodied in a single memory. The memory in some cases is a non-transitory computer medium configured to store software instructions arranged to be executed by a processor.

The computing devices illustrated herein may further include operative software found in a conventional computing device such as an operating system or task loop, software drivers to direct operations through I/O circuitry, networking circuitry, and other peripheral component circuitry. In addition, the computing devices may include operative application software such as network software for communicating with other computing devices, database software for building and maintaining databases, and task management software where appropriate for distributing the communication and/or operational workload amongst various processors. In some cases, the computing device is a single hardware machine having at least some of the hardware and software listed herein, and in other cases, the computing device is a networked collection of hardware and software machines working together in a server farm to execute the functions of one or more embodiments described herein. Some aspects of the conventional hardware and software of the computing device are not shown in the figures for simplicity.

When so arranged as described herein, each computing device may be transformed from a generic and unspecific computing device to a combination device comprising hardware and software configured for a specific and particular purpose.

Input/output (I/O) circuitry and user interface (UI) modules include serial ports, parallel ports, universal serial bus (USB) ports, IEEE 802.11 transceivers and other transceivers compliant with protocols administered by one or more standard-setting bodies, displays, projectors, printers, keyboards, computer mice, microphones, micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) devices such as accelerometers, and the like.

Unless defined otherwise, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, a limited number of the exemplary methods and materials are described herein.

As used in the present disclosure, the term “module” refers to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor and a memory operative to execute one or more software or firmware programs, combinational logic circuitry, or other suitable components (i.e., hardware, software, or hardware and software) that provide the functionality described with respect to the module.

A processor (i.e., a processing unit), as used in the present disclosure, refers to one or more processing units individually, shared, or in a group, having one or more processing cores (e.g., execution units), including central processing units (CPUs), digital signal processors (DSPs), microprocessors, micro controllers, state machines, and the like that execute instructions. In the present disclosure, the terms processor in any of its grammatical forms is synonymous with the term controller.

In the present disclosure, memory may be used in one configuration or another. The memory may be configured to store data. In the alternative or in addition, the memory may be a non-transitory computer readable medium (CRM) wherein the CRM is configured to store instructions executable by a processor. The instructions may be stored individually or as groups of instructions in files. The files may include functions, services, libraries, and the like. The files may include one or more computer programs or may be part of a larger computer program. Alternatively or in addition, each file may include data or other computational support material useful to carry out the computing functions of the systems, methods, and apparatus described in the present disclosure.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, e.g., “including, but not limited to.”

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” and variations thereof means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content and context clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the conjunctive terms, “and” and “or” are generally employed in the broadest sense to include “and/or” unless the content and context clearly dictates inclusivity or exclusivity as the case may be. In addition, the composition of “and” and “or” when recited herein as “and/or” is intended to encompass an embodiment that includes all of the associated items or ideas and one or more other alternative embodiments that include fewer than all of the associated items or ideas.

The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are for convenience only and do not limit or interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, application and publications to provide yet further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure. 

1. A power beaming system, comprising: a power beam transmission unit to generate and transmit a high-flux power beam toward a receiving unit at a remote location; and the receiving unit, the receiving unit including a photovoltaic array having a defined perimeter shape, wherein the power beam transmission unit includes: at least one vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array having a plurality of VCSEL emitters; a projection lens apparatus; and a control system to control a light output of the VCSEL array, wherein control of the light output of the VCSEL array includes controllably enabling a selected portion of the plurality of VCSEL emitters corresponding to the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array.
 2. A power beaming system according to claim 1, comprising: at least one diffusion apparatus positioned between the VCSEL array and the projection lens apparatus wherein control of the light output of the VCSEL array further includes controllably diffusing light from the VCSEL array to uniformly illuminate a projection surface of the projection lens apparatus.
 3. A power beaming system according to claim 1, comprising: a plurality of lenslets positioned between the VCSEL array and the projection lens apparatus, each of the plurality of lenslets arranged to decrease divergence of a light beam generated by a corresponding VCSEL array element, wherein decreasing divergence of light from a plurality of VCSEL array elements reduces an overlap of light beams generated by adjacent VCSEL array elements.
 4. A power beaming system according to claim 1, wherein the control system includes: a processor; memory; and a switch module arranged to enable and disable selected VCSEL emitters under control of the processor.
 5. A power beaming system according to claim 4, wherein the control system is arranged to controllably enable selected VCSEL emitters into a plurality of output patterns.
 6. A power beaming system according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of output patterns includes a circle, a hexagon, and a rectangle.
 7. A power beaming system according to claim 1, wherein the projection lens apparatus includes at least one of: a non-axisymmetric optical element to change an aspect ratio of the high-flux power beam; and a rotation optical element to rotate the high-flux power beam.
 8. A power beaming system according to claim 7, wherein the control system is arranged to change a position of at least one portion of the projection lens apparatus.
 9. A power beaming system according to claim 1, comprising: at least one communication receiver associated with the power beam transmission unit; and at least one communication transmitter associated with the receiving unit, wherein the receiving unit is arranged to automatically communicate information associated with the received high-flux power beam, and wherein the transmission unit is arranged to automatically change a position of at least one portion of the projection lens apparatus in response to the information communicated from the receiving unit.
 10. A power beaming system according to claim 9, wherein the information communicated from the receiving unit is associated with a shape of the high-flux power beam, an intensity of the high-flux power beam, or an orientation of the high-flux power beam.
 11. A method to communicate a power beam, comprising: generating a high-flux power beam from at least one vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array having a plurality of VCSEL emitters; as part of the generating, controllably enabling a selected portion of the plurality of VCSEL emitters corresponding to a defined perimeter shape of a photovoltaic array; diffusing light from the VCSEL array to uniformly illuminate a projection surface of a projection lens apparatus; and transmitting the shaped and focused high-flux power beam toward the photovoltaic array of a receiving unit at a remote location.
 12. A method to communicate a power beam according to claim 11, comprising: positioning at least one diffusion apparatus between the VCSEL array and the projection lens apparatus.
 13. A method to communicate a power beam according to claim 11, wherein the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array is one of a circle, a hexagon, and a rectangle.
 14. A method to communicate a power beam according to claim 11, wherein controllably enabling the selected portion of the plurality of VCSEL emitters corresponding to the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array includes adjusting a position of a non-axisymmetric optical element or a rotation optical element relative to at least one portion of the projection lens apparatus.
 15. A method to communicate a power beam according to claim 11, comprising: changing a position of at least one portion of the projection lens apparatus.
 16. A method to communicate a power beam according to claim 11, comprising: receiving information communicated from the receiving unit, the information associated with the received high-flux power beam; and automatically changing a position of at least one portion of the projection lens apparatus in response to the information communicated from the receiving unit.
 17. A power beaming transmission unit, comprising: at least one vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array having a plurality of VCSEL emitters; a projection lens apparatus; and a control system arranged to selectively enable and disable a determined portion of the plurality of VCSEL emitters corresponding to a defined perimeter shape of a remote photovoltaic array, the control system further arranged to control a uniform illumination of a projection surface of the projection lens apparatus.
 18. A power beaming transmission unit according to claim 17, comprising: at least one diffusion apparatus positioned between the VCSEL array and the projection lens apparatus.
 19. A power beaming transmission unit according to claim 17, comprising: a plurality of lenslets positioned between the VCSEL array and the projection lens apparatus, each of the plurality of lenslets arranged to adjust a level of divergence of a light beam generated by a corresponding VCSEL array element.
 20. A power beaming transmission unit according to claim 17, wherein the control system is arranged to change a position of at least one portion of the projection lens apparatus.
 21. A power beaming transmission unit according to claim 17, comprising: at least one communication receiver arranged to receive information from a remote receiving unit, the information associated with: a shape of a high-flux power beam generated and transmitted by the power beaming transmission unit, an intensity of the high-flux power beam generated and transmitted by the power beaming transmission unit, or an orientation of the high-flux power beam generated and transmitted by the power beaming transmission unit. 